Is It Possible To Study With Two Kids At Home?

[fairymama]

Hi all,

I have to take an important exam in two month, I used to send kids to a day care since I stared studying, but what happened is that I have to stay with them for a whole month. I wonder how can I study with 31/2 y TWINS:confused:They are ver busy and sometimes fight with each other you can say curious, you can say naughty. They are obsessed with kitchen and fridge and every thing I tell them NO don't touch. It is almost impossible to satisfy both of them ( boy and girl). I can never keep them quiet and busy doing something..
From your long term expert in dealing with kids of different ages, how can I keep my kids quite and is there is certain schedule i can use with them , so i have some time for studying?
They have almost all kinds of toys , BUT still not enough for them

I will be traveling for that month and even couldn't have much toys for them.. please help me .

[Unregistered]

I would have them on a 7:30 am - 7:30 pm routine.

Do they have a play kitchen? I would bake with them, or let them help with preparing meals and snacks. Outside of that mabe give some bowls, spoon measuring cups etc, so that they can play kitchen.

With my own kiddo when I need to get stuff done I do the 1/2 hour on, 1/2 hour off routine. For a 1/2 hour I play directly with them, for the next 1/2 hour I expect independent play. My playroom is set up like stations. If they can get along they can play at the same station. If not seperate and thay can rotate stations. Provide them with different things to explore.

If there are too many toys where it gets to the point they loose interest. Put some away. Brininging them back out weeks later sparks new interest. Too many out at once can be overwhelming. They can be rotated.


Stations - need not be tables, could be a blanket on the floor, coffee table etc.

Legos/blocks

Dress up/Dramatic Play

Sensory Bins - these keep them busy for extended periods of time. water ones hold the greatest interest.

washable art supplies with different papers, paper towel rolls, toilet paper rolls, kleenex boxes, egg cartons etc. to create with. Large empty boxes they can decorate & play in are priceless.

colouring books

books to look through

books on tape

oh wait I forget not everyone is TV free. Some new shows should buy you some study time too.

Don't set your sights too high - Be realistic. Study time during the day will come in snippits. During nap time and after bed will be your best bet. Perhaps a relative or friend could come take them out for an hour or two now and then too. Husband can help in the evenings and weekends. With two months left to study you will be able to focus more towards the end when the exam draws near.

Enjoy this time with your children.

[fairymama]

Thanks! that's really helpful.

[daycarediva]

I highly recommend a child care swap, or maybe hiring a teenager for a few hours after she is out of school in your home. I did this when I had to work before my husband came home. I would have my kids all morning, put down for PM naps at 1, leave them with a sitter at 2:30, and they would wake up at 3-3:30 and my husband would be home at 5. I paid her $50 a week, but this was years ago.

That would allow you a good 1-4 hours per day for studying, or you could do Mon-wed-fri or Tue-thurs....whatever you need.

Even with all of the childcare experience in the world, i don't think I could get two 3.5 year olds to play quietly together for longer than 30 minutes.

[fairymama]

I highly recommend a child care swap, or maybe hiring a teenager for a few hours after she is out of school in your home. I did this when I had to work before my husband came home. I would have my kids all morning, put down for PM naps at 1, leave them with a sitter at 2:30, and they would wake up at 3-3:30 and my husband would be home at 5. I paid her $50 a week, but this was years ago.

That would allow you a good 1-4 hours per day for studying, or you could do Mon-wed-fri or Tue-thurs....whatever you need.

Even with all of the childcare experience in the world, i don't think I could get two 3.5 year olds to play quietly together for longer than 30 minutes.

The idea is that I will be out of state and staying in a hotel, So the idea of the baby sitter will be difficult, I am trying to find a daycare but hesitated as I don't know anyone there

[Unregistered]

I'm thinking it will be hard to get much studying done in a hotel room while you are away, unless they are asleep. Any chance they have an Ikea or something like it where you are going. Drop them off in the daycare area to play and run around while you go study in the cafeteria for an hour or so?